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Theme makes baby’s first birthday easy

Family Features

Celebrating your little one’s first birthday is a special opportunity to create cherished memories. For a fresh theme idea appropriate for boys and girls alike, take a note from contemporary pop culture and plan a “royal” first birthday party for your little prince or princess.

“Having an established theme simplifies planning and makes decisions for everything from food to decor much easier,” says Jenn Sbranti, entertaining expert and editor of the blog “Hostess With The Mostess.”

For example, a “royal” theme that’s tailored to a first birthday calls for lots of bright colors, simple shapes and age-appropriate toys. Use this to inspire regal decorations — such as “castle turrets” made from plastic stackable blocks and topped with golden sugar cones and felt flags.

Sbranti offers the following advice for throwing the perfect first birthday party fit for a future king or queen:

Activities are king Keeping the little ones happily entertained is the key to a good time. For toddlers, designate a large, kid-proof play area to serve as the “Royal Fortress.” Fill it with age appropriate toy. Craft projects are another great way to continue your royal first birthday theme.

Eat (and smash) cake Every party needs a cake, but a first birthday actually calls for two. You’ll need one cake to serve and a smaller one for your baby to taste — and smash. Make sure to designate an extra special (and safe) place for the royal highness to enjoy the smash cake. Add scalloped felt garland to the back of the high chair seat, and edge the tray with fringed tissue to create the “birthday throne.”

Toy-inspired decor Garlands are an easy way to transform any room into a party. The colorful plastic balls typically found in a children’s ball pit can easily be pierced with a large sewing needle and strewn into colorful birthday garland that is both toy-inspired and age appropriate.